Mansfield v Colchester Bet Builder Tips
Under 4.5 Goals
Will Swan Anytime Goalscorer
A Goal Scored In Both Halves
Colchester +2
Mansfield Half Time
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Mansfield v Colchester
League Two match at One Call Stadium, Mansfield
TV: Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 12:30pm
Under 4.5 Goals
Whilst there is a strong connection between Mansfield and goals, it takes two to tango and the presence of Colchester in this clash means there’s every chance goals are restricted here. Since Danny Cowley took charge in the first week of January, only one of their 10 games has featured a minimum of five goals, and even that game significantly bypassed the respective xG.
Just over 80% of Colchester’s League Two encounters all season have failed to go over this selection and therefore top of the table Mansfield may not necessarily produce the kind of blowout of the opposition that the odds suggest.
Also, of Mansfield’s 15 fixtures against clubs currently 16th or below, only three saw over 4.5 goals. 10 of those also saw them not win by a two-goal or better margin, so this is more likely to be a tight game than not.
Will Swan Anytime Goalscorer
Trying to predict a Nigel Clough starting line-up for Mansfield can often be quite a tricky task, but it should be fairly safe that Will Swan makes the XI given his recent goal return. The 23-year-old has managed to record eight goals across his previous 10 appearances.
The reality is that Colchester have kept only one clean sheet since Cowley was appointed and will likely find it tough to deny Swan extending his scoring streak.
Within Swan’s impressive scoring run over 10 matches, he has managed 15 shots on target from 25 overall attempts on goal. A 60% return in terms of working the goalkeeper proves this guy knows where the goal is. Also, knowing just over half his on target strikes recently actually resulted in goals, this defines a striker in top form.
A Goal Scored In Both Halves
Mansfield will, of course, go all-out for the win but they haven’t been as defensively secure as you’d think. In 2024, they’ve kept only four out of a possible 15 clean sheets, and yet they’ve still been unbeaten in 10 of those 15 fixtures. Only two of their last 12 League Two battles were goalless at half time, raising the prospect of goals in the first half.
The second half is ultimately when the game will be won or lost, and an obvious case is made for at least one goal to appear in this period. Mansfield are the highest second-half goal scorers in the division.
As for Colchester, in only three of 20 halves of football under Cowley has there not been a goal scored, either for or against. They’ll defend when they have to but won’t be shy to attack knowing Mansfield’s lack of clean sheets of late.
Colchester +2
As mentioned, Colchester have certainly been much harder to beat since the change of manager. For all that Cowley has only overseen one win, only twice have they been defeated. Whilst they’ve not necessarily faced many of the League Two leading lights in that period, they’ve only conceded 2+ goals on three occasions.
Seven victories in ten for Mansfield is a great return, but six of those ten were won by either side by a one-goal margin. Colchester are highly motivated to get points to pull away from relegation trouble and recent form suggests they won’t roll over or just turn thinking a defeat is inevitable.
Mansfield Half Time
The team with the best first half record in League Two is Mansfield. Only on six occasions have they been behind at the interval. Furthermore, just twice have Colchester been leading after 45 minutes in an away league fixture.
Colchester’s game plan at the start will be to try and frustrate off the ball and counterattack when in possession, but Mansfield will be used to playing against teams like this and can be backed to find a way through to lead at the break. Mansfield have scored inside the first 20 minutes in seven of their last 10 matches.
Mansfield v Colchester Bet Builder Tips
Under 4.5 Goals
Will Swan Anytime Goalscorer
A Goal Scored In Both Halves
Colchester +2
Mansfield Half Time
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 26/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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